The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1887-02-09

and believed it too-as she did also all
Of Johns attributes and gifts-"but,"
she Thought, t'if lie should say any Of
those dreadful things about me; what
should I do? I should nevcr-never-
tell HIM.
And 80 during tho entire day she
thought and planned. Now intricacies
OF plot suggesting themselves-yivid
and Interesting scenes coming before
her stimulated Imagination.
Her mother urged her remaining and
sending for her husband to dine with
them. Her secret desire was to return,
but she looked at her mothers wistful
face and had not tho heart to refuse.
She would stay II send for John.
That gentleman arrived at home at
the usual hour. AS he put his latch
key into the door he smiled, thinking
OF the quick car which was listening
for 1t. and Of the pretty apparition>
which would meet him in the hall. "By
joye," he thought, what q lucky fol-
low I amir
But the expected figure did not como
to meet him. lilo WAS conscious or q
little chill OF disappointment, and still
more rs No wandered through tho
rooms and found all silent and de-
serted.
lie rang for tue maid.
where is your mistressP"
"Sho Is out, sir. There's q note,
a~nxiously about. ooh, it Is on her
desk, - said she with returning memory,
starting to go for 1t.
mo matter, l will get it,"and John
turned his impatient steps toward his
wife's room. There was no note on
the desk, and quite naturally he opened
the lid. Ills eyes were rivotod upon
the wards before him:
DEAR FRANK-I return herewith
the letter which l have no longer any
right to keep. l neod not tell you what
lie felt as II his blood were turned
into ice,
L have reflected much upon what
you said yesterday--
Observation-Disclosures felt rs IL he
were going mad. "YesterdayV'-and
he had so trusted herl The room had
grown black and II great siedgo ham
mcr vas beating III his brain, but he
read cn-upon what you said yesterday,
but l am at last resolved. 1 will not
SEQ you again. Any attempt to make
me break this resolve will be frultless.
God knows you have only yourself to
blame that this marriage has
John stood for q few moments as If
turned into stone, his face blanclled,
his muscles tense. Then q ray OF hope
seemed TO come to him. "There is no
signature; iC is not hers. lie looked
again. How could he doubt It'll He
knew too we'll tho turn Of every letter.
He was alternately livid with rage and
choking with grief. His dream of hap.
plness vanished, Something like q
curse came from between his closed
teeth.
"Slle loves this man, and she meets
him and tells him 80, and only yester-
day. Oh, 1T is too horrible" He
buried his face in his hands and
groaned. II shall go away; 1 shall
never At that moment Tho tble-
phQlo beil rang. 10 took no notice OF
il. - shall neYei Again it rang
long nutlloud. What should lo dor
There yas no one else to ans "er iG; no
nnSt g0. So 10 said huakily, HIlelIopp
Mildfedi y BilyoIy YoicG replied, "John.
.t5 tNat SQu2n#
The situation WAS ahociing. nov
could he reply?- there was no time for
reelection. He know that the Central
Office would share all his condolences
through that internal piece OF black
walnut and ebony. So he said:
Eyes"
"Why do you not come? Dinner is
waiting for YOU"
How we'll he knew tho pretty infec-
tions Of that voice!
II wish no dinner--I am going
away-goOd-by."
1t might have been the conventional
telephone 'good- by" for 1t might con-
tain q %profOunder meaning.
The effect at the other end of the
line cannot be described. Ten minutes
later a cab drove furiously up to the
door Of the apartment house, and Mil
dred, with white face and fast beating
heart, rushed into the room, and would
have rushed into Johns arms il he had
let her.
"You are going away" she said
breathlcssly.
You are a very clever actress" said
that gentleman, repulsing her intended
embrace.
"a whatp' said she, amazed. John,
what's tho''---
"a very clever actress" said he
quite as If she had not spoken, ''but
hereafter we will have n moro perfect
understanding and you need not trouble
yourself"
why, john" said she, ''have you
lost your senses2"
mo; on tho contrary, 1 have re-
covered them, + am no longer q dupe.
| was fool enough to think you''--
John, for Cots sake tell me what
this mcansl"